The Case of Hana & Alice

Plot revolves around "murder" that turns out to not be a crime at all. Viewers do see a boy writhing on the floor, hear lots of discussion of anaphylaxis (shock caused by allergic reaction). Alice's classmates bully her at first, especially one boy who throws a chicken wing at her, calls her "devil." Alice pushes him off a fence and steps on his crotch before demanding intel about the "murder." At one point, one character thinks another has been run over by a truck (she hasn't). Talk of concepts connected with death: a spirit world, the underworld, being possessed, ghosts.

Romance figures into storyline: A boy has several girls in his class sign (faux) "marriage contracts" without telling them he has more than one girlfriend.

Language is infrequent, but expect "hell," "damn," "heck." Also some insulting language, as when a classmate calls Alice a "devil," and she calls him a "greasy slob." The boy also says he "pissed himself."

Parents need to know that The Case of Hana & Alice is an anime movie about two school-age girls who become friends after one moves to a new town and discovers a mystery. There's lots of talk of a "murder" (or at least a mysterious death) and other concepts connected with death: a spirit world, the underworld, being possessed, and ghosts. But none of these things is presented in a spooky way, and there aren't any images connected with the murder/death other than a boy writing on the floor of a classroom after an injury. A girl is bullied by classmates, including a boy who throws a chicken wing at her back. She stands up to the bullying and physically dominates the chicken wing thrower. Romance plays a part in the story: A boy dates several girls in his class without telling them about one another. One of the main characters has experienced a trauma but slowly heals from it over the course of the movie, mostly thanks to the stalwart friendship of the other main character. Both are portrayed as tough, strong, and noble, and they display courage and perseverance. Language is infrequent but includes "heck," "damn," "hell," and some insults. An adult woman says that she was unpopular with female classmates because the boys in her class liked her too much because she was "cute." The film may move a little too slowly for younger viewers, but it's great whole-family watching for families with tweens and up -- or patient young viewers who can wait as the story slowly spools out.

To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.